How Should Christians Respond When Love Is Used to Mask False Teachings About Christ?
Orientation
The pressure to compromise truth for the sake of superficial unity can feel like a spiritual obligation, but it's actually a weapon used against assurance.
- You may feel condemned for defending sound doctrine about Christ.
- Spiritual-sounding appeals to 'love' and 'grace' can mask doctrinal error.
- This creates a painful tension between relational harmony and gospel purity.
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (Romans 16:18)
— Romans 16:18
Clarification
Walking in love according to scripture is tethered to truth, not sentimental tolerance of error.
- Genuine love protects God's people from doctrines that undermine assurance.
- Contending for the faith is an act of love, not a failure of it.
- The biblical command is to believe on Christ and love one another—these cannot be separated.
And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. (2 John 1:6)
— 2 John 1:6
Structure
Pauline revelation provides the framework for discerning when separation is the loving response to persistent error.
- Paul withstood Peter to protect the truth of the gospel (Galatians 2:11).
- He commands marking and avoiding those who cause divisions contrary to the doctrine.
- The goal is the preservation of the gospel that gives peace and assurance.
To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. (Galatians 2:5)
— Galatians 2:5
Weight-Bearing Prose
This conflict is not new. Paul identified the pattern: those using ‘good words and fair speeches’ to deceive. When the substance of doctrine is attacked, the attacker shifts to attacking the defender’s tone or love. This is a tactical move to avoid the real issue—a corrupted gospel. The apostle John defines love as walking after God’s commandments, which includes believing on the name of His Son. To tolerate doctrine that diminishes Christ is to fail the commandment of love. Paul’s response in Galatians 2 was public confrontation to preserve gospel truth. His strong language in Philippians 3 and commands for separation in Titus 3 are for those espousing error, not merely confused brethren. The false teacher, unable to win doctrinally, will try to win emotionally, stigmatizing the defender as unloving. This is spiritual manipulation, wrapping condemnation in spiritual-sounding prayer and appeals to relationship. Your security rests on Christ’s finished work, not human approval. Contending for truth is the loving act that protects assurance.
Integration
Your peace is not found in being liked, but in being justified by faith. The condemnation you feel from others cannot touch your standing in Christ. Rest in His approval, which is settled. You are free to disengage from manipulative conversations, not as an act of judgment, but as an act of preservation—for your own assurance and for the purity of the testimony. The most loving thing is sometimes to stop engaging, trusting God with the outcome. Continue in the rich pasture of God’s Word and fellowship with those who cherish the true doctrine of Christ. Your commitment to sound doctrine is not evidence you are unloving; it is evidence you understand what love costs and what truth matters most. Christ is your peace.